My Current Location
:
My Current Location
:

SEARCH

Lithium tablets or capsules

What is this medicine?

LITHIUM (LITH ee um) is used to prevent and treat the manic episodes caused by manic-depressive illness.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take after a meal or snack to avoid stomach upset. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. The amount of this medicine you take is very important. Taking more than the prescribed dose can cause serious side effects. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 12 years for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

blurred vision

breathing problems

clumsiness or loss of balance

confusion

difficulty speaking or swallowing

dizziness

feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

increased thirst

increased urination

loss of appetite

muscle weakness

nausea, vomiting

pain, coldness, or blue coloration of fingers or toes

sensitivity to cold

seizures

slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

slurred speech

swelling in the neck

unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

Where should I keep my medicine?

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

active infection

Brugada Syndrome

dehydration (diarrhea or sweating)

diet low in salt

heart disease

high levels of calcium in the blood

history of irregular heartbeat

kidney disease

low level of potassium or sodium in the blood

parathyroid disease

problems urinating

thyroid disease

an unusual or allergic reaction to lithium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

pregnant or trying to get pregnant

breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It can take several weeks of treatment before you start to get better.

The amount of salt (sodium) in your body influences the effects of this medicine, and this medicine can increase salt loss from the body. Eat a normal diet that includes salt. Do not change to salt substitutes. Avoid changes involving diet, or medications that include large amounts of sodium like sodium bicarbonate. Ask your doctor or health care professional for advice if you are not sure.

Drink plenty of fluids while you are taking this medicine. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea and colas. You will need extra fluids if you have diarrhea or sweat a lot. This will help prevent toxic effects from this medicine. Be careful not to get overheated during exercise, saunas, hot baths, and hot weather. Consult your doctor or health care professional if you have a high fever or persistent diarrhea.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.

If you have reached this screen, your current device or browser is unable to access the full Banner Health website. To see the full site, please upgrade your browser to the most recent version of Safari, Chrome, Firefox or Internet Explorer. An update is not required, but is strongly recommended to improve your browsing experience